Detectives have issued an urgent appeal to trace a man in connection with the disappearance of a teenager who is believed to have been murdered.

Hertfordshire Police said Jack Wall, 22, of Hadrian's Walk, Stevenage, was being sought over the disappearance of 19-year-old Amelia Arnold.

Ms Arnold is also from Stevenage and was last seen on Wednesday.

Police urged Mr Wall, who has a distinctive squint and is thought to be blind in one eye, to give himself up.

'Further afield'

Det Ch Insp Tim Redfearn, from the joint Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Major Crime Unit, said: "We have reason to believe that the missing woman has been murdered and we'd urgently like to speak with Jack Wall in connection with the inquiry.

"It is likely he may be in the Stevenage area, but he could be further afield."

Det Ch Insp Redfearn, who is leading the inquiry, added: "I would urge anyone who has information about his whereabouts to call police as a matter of urgency.

Image caption
Amelia Arnold, 19, from Stevenage, was last seen on Wednesday

"I'd also like to appeal directly to Jack.

"If you are reading this, please go to Stevenage or your nearest police station to speak with officers."

Suspicious activity

As part of the inquiry, detectives and scene-of-crime specialists are examining a property in Hadrian's Walk.

Witnesses who may have seen suspicious activity at the address between Wednesday and Friday are also being asked to come forward.

Det Ch Insp Redfearn said: "We've been speaking with residents in Hadrian's Walk but I would like to hear from anyone who has been in the area between these times and believes they may have seen or heard any suspicious activity to make contact with police.

"We would also like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in a white Citroen Berlingo, registration R389 VDP, in the Stevenage area since Wednesday.

"Any information, however small could prove vital to our investigation."

A 41-year-old man from the Stevenage area has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is in police custody.